Definitions and Terminology
The terms “blind” and “blindness” have been modified in our society to include a wide range of visual impairment.
You have probably heard the following terms to refer to people who have some remaining vision: low vision, vision loss, partially sighted, visually impaired, and legally blind.
At the same time, you have probably heard of people who are totally blind or who have light perception.
Let us take a look at each one of these terms in order to understand their differences.
- Visual impairment, opens in a new window
- Vision loss, opens in a new window
- Low Vision, opens in a new window
- Partially Sighted or Partially Blind, opens in a new window
- Legally Blind, opens in a new window
- Total Blindness and Light Perception, opens in a new window
Now that we have a more clear understanding of the terminology, let us take a look at those conditions that most often cause vision loss.